Among the many unexplored and untapped capabilities of the Northeast in general and its geographically largest state Arunachal Pradesh in particular, the one which is invariably discussed relates to medicinal herbs. At Friday’s regional Buyer-Seller Meet in the state capital that deliberated on wide-ranging topics of cultivation, value addition, marketing etc., the stakeholders in the course of an extensive discussion unanimously agreed on the above point while underlining the necessity to do more. From the history of medicinal plants of Arunachal, particularly how nature alone has played a catalytic role in their natural growth that has been documented in renowned scientific journals across the world, even for a non-technical person it’s easy to comprehend that the potential is huge. While the prospect creates a voluntary excitement, the fact that only a fraction of the potential has been explored will induce anyone to ask why it has been so? The reasons presumably must be many, however, industry, science academia and governments must not differ that time has arrived for more concerted efforts.

Medicinal plants or herbs and all those belonging to the aromatic family since time immemorial have been accepted as great elixirs for human health and for many decades after advent of the modern pharmaceutical industry, they have got a new title- 'plants of prosperity' due to the sheer commercial returns they entail. In the above meet, quite a good number of medicinal species of plants were showcased that have a huge demand in global pharma industry. Arunachal has been blessed by nature by all the factors necessary for their growth in terms of climate, altitude, soil and others. Last December’s Sustainable Mountain Development Summit in Dehradun that discussed the vital issue of sustainable economic growth of the Himalayan states, the legislators of these states reiterated the need for giving thrust on exploration of the medicinal plant sector. Making a global comparison, it must be stated that the Chinese and South Koreans have done much better than India and besides keeping their age-old tradition of growing the priceless medicinal plants alive, have been able to establish a sound linkage between growers and industry, that has also received the just scientific intervention from science academic fraternity. But above all, the proactive role of governments’ is unmistakably visible. For the state’s youths many of whom are seriously entrepreneurship-minded, this sector can ensure long-term dividends. Both Central and state governments, respective Boards, banks and all stakeholders must play the role of patrons, at least during the preliminary timeline.

For actual realisation of the potential and goals of the medicinal plants sector in Arunachal as reminded in meets and seminars of this kind, proper and prolonged hand-holding of all those currently engaged and waiting to be involved is urgently needed.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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